Did you see * on The News Hour last night?

[SHRED]

This one was much better than the CBS 60 Minutes interview.
Jim Leher tried to get much more detailed and nail down some answers.
Of course the President shirked his responsibility to the American people and answered in vague generalities, as per his usual M.O..

Near the end Jim asked him why, if this is a "global idealogical war", as Bush puts it, and so absolutely critical that we "win", why then has the President not asked for shared sacrifice from all Americans for such an important struggle?

Interview:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/indepth_coverage/politics/bush-interview_01-16-07.html

Shields and Brooks analysis:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/jan-june07/sb_01-16.html


---

[crikkett]

1. not for long, I had to go barf

the follow-up question is dead, and Lehrer is taking marching orders from the WH just like everyone else.

Propaganda, lies, even on NPR. We are in for a tough time as corp. media - even PUBLIC corp. media - digs in their heels to maintain control.

[greyl]

6. My SO didn't want to watch it either because of the barf factor.

I don't get that attitude.
I convinced her to watch by reminding her that we're always complaining about how everyone escapes painful realities on our planet by watching American Idol etc, and doesn't take the time to really pay attention to the stuff that needs fixing.
Lehrer did a fine job, and the follow up discussion kicked bush's ass.

[crikkett]

11. I think it's a small matter of picking your battles -

Disgust is a visceral emotion for me, it's hard to shake.

It's not a matter of paying attention to what needs fixing - I don't need to be convinced of what needs fixing in this case.

I left because I had other things to spend my energy on.

It's the same reason I don't allow the TV show COPS to be played in my house. I can't control the fact that the show exists, but I can keep those bad vibes from affecting me.

Time & place for everything, etc, and induce nausea when it won't change a thing but your appetite?

[crikkett]

2. and another thing,

Bush was directly asked (without followup) whether he was going to implement either a draft or a national service requirement that would allow people to opt for civilian service. Bush flatly denied that a draft would ever happen, so look for it to be announced next week.

(no, i'm not bitter)

[kstewart33]

3. Great post. Thanks Shred. eom.

[Demit]

4. Yes. I thought Lehrer handled Bush with exquisite irony.

When he asked, "Why, if this is the ideological struggle of our time—why, if it's so important—why are you not asking the American people to sacrifice?" And Bush said, "the American people are sacrificing. They are sacrificing peace of mind," I thought that answer was so appalling on the face of it that it just stood all by itself in its cravenness. I applaud Lehrer for teasing it out of him. He also was able to get Bush to say other weak, inane things, with his quiet questions. We got to watch all the shoulder shrugs and inappropriate smiles as he talked about "educating" the American people.

It was a good job, revealing how inadequate Bush's thin arguments, and Bush himself, are. It showed us what a fool he is, and if more interviewers would pose these kinds of simple questions, that naturally occur to ordinary people, Bush will be shown up for the deluded clown that he is, once and for all, and will finally lose the last of his rapidly dwindling public support.

[madrchsod]

8. sacrificing?

"If that's the kind of sacrifice people are talking about, I'm not for it because raising taxes will hurt this growing economy. And one thing we want during this war on terror is for people to feel like their life's moving on, that they're able to make a living and send their kids to college and put more money on the table."

[whistle]

5. Thanks for the link, it just proves yet again that Shrub* is completely disconnected

...from reality. He is pushing the neocon agenda which was set-up before * was elected in 2000 and nothing, not the facts, not reason, not discussion will change Dubya's mind about this agenda. So, for America there is only one solution. Impeach Bush/Cheney now!

[madrchsod]

7. i loved this little gem

"that they're able to make a living and send their kids to college and put more money on the table."

"more money on the table"? in the world of the great unwashed it`s-in your purse,wallet,pocket,paycheck,
not "on the table"..funny i always thought it was "under the table".maybe that how it works,these guys put money "on the table" because they think no one is watching them..

[SharonAnn]

10. "Food on the table" is a valid expression. "Leaving money on the table" is an

expression saying that you sold something for less than what someone would've paid for it.

"Putting money on the table" is an expression that means you're offering a specific amount for something and you're serious. As in "he bid $100 and put the money on the table!"

* just can't get his expressions, metaphors, or analogies correct.

What a "doofus".

[Arkansas Granny]

9. I thought Jim Lehrer did a good job with this interview. He asked

relevant questions (although he didn't get that many relevant answers) and went deeper into Bush's policies and why he made the decisions he did than anyone I've heard recently. Lehrer doesn't seem to put Bush on the defensive as much as other interviewers I've seen and gets more detailed answers, even if they still don't say much.